www.ambiente.us FEBRUARY / FEBRERO 2008
Dan DeLeon & Alex Catala: The New Latino Power Couple
By Herb Sosa herb@ambiente.us
Dan & Alex are the ideal New Latino Power Couple.
They are each successful in their own right, lead a
very public life as a out & proud couple, have a
successful business relationship, are in love with
life and each other and seem to be in unison on
their goals for their future.
Dan De Leon
Argentina-born, De Leon has always had a story to
share and a need to express it artistically. At the
age of 17, he produced the world's first all-teenage-
made feature film, Common Bonds. Described as
a "monumental achievement and an inspiration to
young filmmakers everywhere" the film premiered
at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival and propelled
Dan into a firestorm of media coverage including
a three-part series on Entertainment Tonight and
various other media. After developing various other
projects and making a name for himself as a rising
star in the film industry, it was the very movies that
shifted him towards music. De Leon began his
hugely successful career as a DJ while researching
a character he was writing for a new screenplay.
For this turn of events, Club-goers around the globe
are thankful.
Since the summer of 2006, Dan has begun to focus his attention on production, creating original music and
remixes.
Alex Catala
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Alex grew up in your traditional Puerto Rican family - a family of athletes. "My
Dad was a well known (accomplished) baseball player. Representing Puerto Rico in the 1977 Pan-
American games and Central American games, so we were very involved in sports. But ever since I was
little it was in my creative and artistic talent where I seemed to shine." Catala studied painting since age 12
with various renowned Puerto Rican artists and had a solo show at age 18. In 1989 he competed at
National Talent Search held by the prestigious Pratt Institute School of Design in New York and was one of
the finalist, winning a scholarship, but he decide to stay and aatend the School of Architecture of the
University of Puerto Rico. Catala later moved to San Diego completing his Masters in Architecture where he
remained and practiced for 11 years. When one of the top US architectural firms offered him a position and
to relocate to Los Angeles, Catala & De León jumped at the opportunity.
Catala just completed a collaborative event with his life & business partner, Dan DeLeón, who was
spinning at L.A.’s Avalon Club on New Years, and together are developing a series of club events &
appearances over the next year thru their company, Metro Entertainment & Lattitude Events.
DeLeon and Catala met at Cinespace in L.A. in 2004, where Dan was spinning. They have been together
ever since. DeLeon & Catala later married in Spain in July 2006.
ABOUT ARCHITECTURE
“Architecture is my passion. I love architecture and design. I feel very lucky to be able to say I love what I
do; I love what I do for work. That is very powerful. Architecture has allowed me to expand myself in different
directions. It is the foundation for my creativity. Events Production is an extension of that. It is a way for me
to expand that creativity for example when I transformed a space for one of our events.� – Alex Catala
HS: What makes your relationship work, both at home and as business partners?
What are the challenges?
DL/C: Alex: What makes the relationship work at home is
that I wear the pants! <laughs> ....We love and care for each
other very much and look after each other. We are each
others best friend. In a professional level what makes it
work is that we believe in each other and what we do best
and appreciate what each of us bring to the table, me in
the production and financial aspects of putting an event
together and DL in the artistic and music direction.
HS: Are your Latino families supportive of your relationship
& marriage? Are you close?
DL/C: Alex: Yes they support us and love Dan. We just
spent Christmas in Miami with my family. But I think
since my family has mostly lived in Puerto Rico, the
process of accepting our marriage I assume might have
been a little slower. Dan: My Family is extremely supportive
and has been since early in the relationship... they saw a
good man in Alex and jumped on board right away, I think
they know I need grounding in my life!
HS: How was the marriage process in Spain? What did you
have to do to get married there?
DL/C: Alex: The process wasn't too different from any other
wedding. We didn't get a marriage license if that's what you mean; we had a ceremony on the beach in
Marbella (South of Malaga) with the whole family and a couple of our closest friends. Then we filed for
domestic partnership here in California.
Note: Former priest Frank Kiedaisch presided over the ceremony in Marbella.
HS: Does being such a public couple help or hurt your relationship? How?
DL/C: Dan: I don't think it’s hurt our relationship, that's for sure. Alex: If you know us well, you would know
we thrive in this environment that we're in, we both love all the same things and our environment is part and
parcel to what we do and who we are. We love people and we love music and art. What could be more fun?
HS: Tell me about Lattitude Events and your plans for it?
DL/C: Dan: In 2005, about a year after we met, we began seriously considering starting a business together
that would bring together all of our ideas, taste and values with regards to the club scene. LATTITUDE is the
culmination of this effort. We're both of the mind that the club scene goes under-served both in the gay circuit
community and in the mainstream world. Low quality, high prices and no selection. Our mission is to
provide a product that brings quality, value and a world-class atmosphere where all types of people can
enjoy dancing together. Think Montreal, think London, think Ibiza. That's what we're about. Our events feature
acts like Chus & Ceballos and Saeed Younan, Oscar G, and D-Formation sharing the stage with myself.
Entering our third year, in 2008 we have become an integral part of Avalon Hollywood's flagship Saturday
night promotion called Avaland. Once a month an Avalon is transformed into a LATTITUDE party, this year so
far we have featured Tom Stephan Superchumbo, Gabriel & Dresden and Victor Calderone, with many more
exciting events to come. The new LATTITUDE at Avalon is a HUGE event, 2500 people of all types, races
and backgrounds going off together in one massive celebration of life.
HS: Relationships take a lot of work, especially
when there is career success, which you both
have individually and collectively. What keeps
you both grounded and connected?
DL/C: Alex: We keep each other grounded, we
have to. I call Dan on his stuff and he calls me
on mine. Who else better than the two of us and
we know each other inside and out. Dan: You
know we've seen people lose their way and who
really need a good grounding... <laughs> We
are very, very lucky that we have each other and
really good friends in the business who are also
very grounded, like Eddie X, Kimberly S and Chris
Cox, it helps to "keep things real".
HS: Words of advice to couples? …Aspiring D.J.’s,
Filmmakers, or Architects?
DL/C: We both feel that when it comes to success and happiness, Being
Yourself and staying true to yourself is the key. When you are pretending
to be something you're not, whether that's creatively or romantically, it's a
recipe for disaster. Beyond that, hard work and a strong sense of faith is
essential to making your dreams come true. No one is going to believe in
you more than you, and sometimes you have to put your face into the wind
and fight the going current in order to achieve your goals. It's part of life and
its part of being in the entertainment business. There will always be
naysayers and detractors, you will never please everyone, but if you can take
the slack and stick to your principles, you will create something unique and
find your audience. That's happiness, being yourself and being loved for it...
In work and in romance.
HS: The world should expect what from Dan & Alex…
DL/C: Lots and lots of surprises to come. The new, the fresh, the cutting edge.
That's what you can look forward to from us.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
HERB SOSA
herb@herbsosa.com
Cuban-American, community activist, Miami historian, preservationist
and freelance writer, Herb Sosa is a founding member and Director
of Unity Coalition/Coalición Unida, a non-profit focused on minority
political & social empowerment. He is also Editor-In-Chief of Ambiente
Magazine, a Latino/Hispanic focused LGBT publication and regularly
offers public speaking, leadership and political empowerment training
workshops.
Sosa served as chairman of Miami Beach's Historic Preservation Board for over six years, and has served
on the Board of Directors of the Miami Design Preservation League, Dade Heritage Trust, Miami Beach
Community Development Corp., Shelbourne & Fernwood HIV/AIDS Housing, and variety of other
organizations throughout South Florida.
In 1995 Mr. Sosa created and developed the Ba-Balú Store concept in Miami & Miami Beach, celebrating
Cuban heritage thru art, cigars, music and unique giftware, and earning the store the unique distinction of
being named one of Conde N’ast Traveler Magazines top 100 destinations in the world in 1996.
In January 2004, Herb Sosa was named one of Tentaciónes Magazines Top Ten Latina/o activists in the U.
S. and in 2005 was named one of OUT magazines Top 100 LGBT Activists and featured on LOGO TV.
Dan DeLeon & Alex Catala: The New Latino Power Couple
By Herb Sosa herb@ambiente.us
Dan & Alex are the ideal New Latino Power Couple.
They are each successful in their own right, lead a
very public life as a out & proud couple, have a
successful business relationship, are in love with
life and each other and seem to be in unison on
their goals for their future.
Dan De Leon
Argentina-born, De Leon has always had a story to
share and a need to express it artistically. At the
age of 17, he produced the world's first all-teenage-
made feature film, Common Bonds. Described as
a "monumental achievement and an inspiration to
young filmmakers everywhere" the film premiered
at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival and propelled
Dan into a firestorm of media coverage including
a three-part series on Entertainment Tonight and
various other media. After developing various other
projects and making a name for himself as a rising
star in the film industry, it was the very movies that
shifted him towards music. De Leon began his
hugely successful career as a DJ while researching
a character he was writing for a new screenplay.
For this turn of events, Club-goers around the globe
are thankful.
Since the summer of 2006, Dan has begun to focus his attention on production, creating original music and
remixes.
Alex Catala
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Alex grew up in your traditional Puerto Rican family - a family of athletes. "My
Dad was a well known (accomplished) baseball player. Representing Puerto Rico in the 1977 Pan-
American games and Central American games, so we were very involved in sports. But ever since I was
little it was in my creative and artistic talent where I seemed to shine." Catala studied painting since age 12
with various renowned Puerto Rican artists and had a solo show at age 18. In 1989 he competed at
National Talent Search held by the prestigious Pratt Institute School of Design in New York and was one of
the finalist, winning a scholarship, but he decide to stay and aatend the School of Architecture of the
University of Puerto Rico. Catala later moved to San Diego completing his Masters in Architecture where he
remained and practiced for 11 years. When one of the top US architectural firms offered him a position and
to relocate to Los Angeles, Catala & De León jumped at the opportunity.
Catala just completed a collaborative event with his life & business partner, Dan DeLeón, who was
spinning at L.A.’s Avalon Club on New Years, and together are developing a series of club events &
appearances over the next year thru their company, Metro Entertainment & Lattitude Events.
DeLeon and Catala met at Cinespace in L.A. in 2004, where Dan was spinning. They have been together
ever since. DeLeon & Catala later married in Spain in July 2006.
ABOUT ARCHITECTURE
“Architecture is my passion. I love architecture and design. I feel very lucky to be able to say I love what I
do; I love what I do for work. That is very powerful. Architecture has allowed me to expand myself in different
directions. It is the foundation for my creativity. Events Production is an extension of that. It is a way for me
to expand that creativity for example when I transformed a space for one of our events.� – Alex Catala
HS: What makes your relationship work, both at home and as business partners?
What are the challenges?
DL/C: Alex: What makes the relationship work at home is
that I wear the pants! <laughs> ....We love and care for each
other very much and look after each other. We are each
others best friend. In a professional level what makes it
work is that we believe in each other and what we do best
and appreciate what each of us bring to the table, me in
the production and financial aspects of putting an event
together and DL in the artistic and music direction.
HS: Are your Latino families supportive of your relationship
& marriage? Are you close?
DL/C: Alex: Yes they support us and love Dan. We just
spent Christmas in Miami with my family. But I think
since my family has mostly lived in Puerto Rico, the
process of accepting our marriage I assume might have
been a little slower. Dan: My Family is extremely supportive
and has been since early in the relationship... they saw a
good man in Alex and jumped on board right away, I think
they know I need grounding in my life!
HS: How was the marriage process in Spain? What did you
have to do to get married there?
DL/C: Alex: The process wasn't too different from any other
wedding. We didn't get a marriage license if that's what you mean; we had a ceremony on the beach in
Marbella (South of Malaga) with the whole family and a couple of our closest friends. Then we filed for
domestic partnership here in California.
Note: Former priest Frank Kiedaisch presided over the ceremony in Marbella.
HS: Does being such a public couple help or hurt your relationship? How?
DL/C: Dan: I don't think it’s hurt our relationship, that's for sure. Alex: If you know us well, you would know
we thrive in this environment that we're in, we both love all the same things and our environment is part and
parcel to what we do and who we are. We love people and we love music and art. What could be more fun?
HS: Tell me about Lattitude Events and your plans for it?
DL/C: Dan: In 2005, about a year after we met, we began seriously considering starting a business together
that would bring together all of our ideas, taste and values with regards to the club scene. LATTITUDE is the
culmination of this effort. We're both of the mind that the club scene goes under-served both in the gay circuit
community and in the mainstream world. Low quality, high prices and no selection. Our mission is to
provide a product that brings quality, value and a world-class atmosphere where all types of people can
enjoy dancing together. Think Montreal, think London, think Ibiza. That's what we're about. Our events feature
acts like Chus & Ceballos and Saeed Younan, Oscar G, and D-Formation sharing the stage with myself.
Entering our third year, in 2008 we have become an integral part of Avalon Hollywood's flagship Saturday
night promotion called Avaland. Once a month an Avalon is transformed into a LATTITUDE party, this year so
far we have featured Tom Stephan Superchumbo, Gabriel & Dresden and Victor Calderone, with many more
exciting events to come. The new LATTITUDE at Avalon is a HUGE event, 2500 people of all types, races
and backgrounds going off together in one massive celebration of life.
HS: Relationships take a lot of work, especially
when there is career success, which you both
have individually and collectively. What keeps
you both grounded and connected?
DL/C: Alex: We keep each other grounded, we
have to. I call Dan on his stuff and he calls me
on mine. Who else better than the two of us and
we know each other inside and out. Dan: You
know we've seen people lose their way and who
really need a good grounding... <laughs> We
are very, very lucky that we have each other and
really good friends in the business who are also
very grounded, like Eddie X, Kimberly S and Chris
Cox, it helps to "keep things real".
HS: Words of advice to couples? …Aspiring D.J.’s,
Filmmakers, or Architects?
DL/C: We both feel that when it comes to success and happiness, Being
Yourself and staying true to yourself is the key. When you are pretending
to be something you're not, whether that's creatively or romantically, it's a
recipe for disaster. Beyond that, hard work and a strong sense of faith is
essential to making your dreams come true. No one is going to believe in
you more than you, and sometimes you have to put your face into the wind
and fight the going current in order to achieve your goals. It's part of life and
its part of being in the entertainment business. There will always be
naysayers and detractors, you will never please everyone, but if you can take
the slack and stick to your principles, you will create something unique and
find your audience. That's happiness, being yourself and being loved for it...
In work and in romance.
HS: The world should expect what from Dan & Alex…
DL/C: Lots and lots of surprises to come. The new, the fresh, the cutting edge.
That's what you can look forward to from us.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
HERB SOSA
herb@herbsosa.com
Cuban-American, community activist, Miami historian, preservationist
and freelance writer, Herb Sosa is a founding member and Director
of Unity Coalition/Coalición Unida, a non-profit focused on minority
political & social empowerment. He is also Editor-In-Chief of Ambiente
Magazine, a Latino/Hispanic focused LGBT publication and regularly
offers public speaking, leadership and political empowerment training
workshops.
Sosa served as chairman of Miami Beach's Historic Preservation Board for over six years, and has served
on the Board of Directors of the Miami Design Preservation League, Dade Heritage Trust, Miami Beach
Community Development Corp., Shelbourne & Fernwood HIV/AIDS Housing, and variety of other
organizations throughout South Florida.
In 1995 Mr. Sosa created and developed the Ba-Balú Store concept in Miami & Miami Beach, celebrating
Cuban heritage thru art, cigars, music and unique giftware, and earning the store the unique distinction of
being named one of Conde N’ast Traveler Magazines top 100 destinations in the world in 1996.
In January 2004, Herb Sosa was named one of Tentaciónes Magazines Top Ten Latina/o activists in the U.
S. and in 2005 was named one of OUT magazines Top 100 LGBT Activists and featured on LOGO TV.
| RESIDENTIAL COMMERICAL Licensed Across Florida CGC060449 dructorbuilds.com 305-401-8914 |
| GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION WWW.GLAAD.ORG |
| Gay American Heroes Foundation Honoring LGBT persons who died because of their sexual orientation and gender identity www.gayamericanheroes.com |
| Endulge Yourself... Chocolate Themed Baskets & Gifts www.dulcestore.com |
| Web resource for LGBTQ youth www.matthewsplace.com |
| An online forum on sexual health education for gay and bisexual men www.lifelube.org |
| www.familiasporladiversidad.org |
| LIGA Contra el SIDA - SoFla. League Against AIDS www.leagueagainstaids.org |
ABOUT MUSIC
“Tribal has been on the outskirts of mainstream for quite a while, but I think it’s
making a major global comeback now that electro is starting to reach it’s limits.
I think in the very near future, we’re going to be seeing new combinations of
different genres. Music is a reflection of society and as the cultures of our country
blend – black with white, straight grow more tolerant with the homosexual lifestyle
– so too will Tribal mix with Electro, Techno with hip hop, and so on. That is part
of what fascinates me about music. It’s a true sign of the times. It’s one more
way our society shares its story.� – Dan De Leon
HS: Dan, what attracted you to Alex when you met? …And today?
DL/C: I thought he was so hot. Then I discovered what a sweet and talented man
he truly is. Such a big heart and so much talent. I think we can both agree that we
see our own reflection in the other, we are two wild and crazy guys who want to
change the world.
WORD ASSOCIATION….
Miami - Family, love, warmth, we love it.
Los Angeles - Home, business, life, live, thrive, work, enjoy, pleasure, pain, agony, ecstasy.
Argentina - History
Image - Perception, Style, Taste, Fashion, Design
Fame - People, contact, message, word, travel, global
Favorite thing to wear - Jeans and T-Shirts.
Favorite food - Brazilian
Favorite type of man – A real Man.
Most important thing in my life – Love.
When I die, I want to be … - Remembered.
Thank you to Dan DeLeon, Alex Catala & Jeff Dorta of Project Publicity for this interview.
For more information on thier projects, visit www.lattitudeevents.com
“Tribal has been on the outskirts of mainstream for quite a while, but I think it’s
making a major global comeback now that electro is starting to reach it’s limits.
I think in the very near future, we’re going to be seeing new combinations of
different genres. Music is a reflection of society and as the cultures of our country
blend – black with white, straight grow more tolerant with the homosexual lifestyle
– so too will Tribal mix with Electro, Techno with hip hop, and so on. That is part
of what fascinates me about music. It’s a true sign of the times. It’s one more
way our society shares its story.� – Dan De Leon
HS: Dan, what attracted you to Alex when you met? …And today?
DL/C: I thought he was so hot. Then I discovered what a sweet and talented man
he truly is. Such a big heart and so much talent. I think we can both agree that we
see our own reflection in the other, we are two wild and crazy guys who want to
change the world.
WORD ASSOCIATION….
Miami - Family, love, warmth, we love it.
Los Angeles - Home, business, life, live, thrive, work, enjoy, pleasure, pain, agony, ecstasy.
Argentina - History
Image - Perception, Style, Taste, Fashion, Design
Fame - People, contact, message, word, travel, global
Favorite thing to wear - Jeans and T-Shirts.
Favorite food - Brazilian
Favorite type of man – A real Man.
Most important thing in my life – Love.
When I die, I want to be … - Remembered.
Thank you to Dan DeLeon, Alex Catala & Jeff Dorta of Project Publicity for this interview.
For more information on thier projects, visit www.lattitudeevents.com
